Great Apes Safari in Uganda 8 days

Inspired by the recent airing on National Geographic about the Kingdom of the Great Ape, Congo's Low land gorillas were featured, Rwanda's Mountain gorillas were featured and Tanzania's chimpanzees of Gombe stream where featured. Though Uganda was left out, We would like you to encounter and cast in your own Kingdom of the Great Apes Safari in Uganda. Encounter mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in the wild with this package.

1. Arrival in Uganda Entebbe International Airport

Arrive at Entebbe International airport, meet and greet and transfer to Protea Hotel. If time permits we can visit the famous Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

2. Drive to Kibale forest 339Kms Tea estate Kibale forest

Drive to Kibale Forest area, the drive is a full day of approximately seven hours. After leaving the Lake Victoria Basin pass through beautiful agricultural countryside where every type of fruit and vegetable imaginable is grown. Upon reaching Kyanjojo, in the lower foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains {Mountains of the Moon}, we drive through beautiful tea plantations and into Kibale tropical rain forest. Beautiful Ndali Lodge is situated on a high saddle between two crater lakes.

This morning we get the opportunity to explore Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale Forest is home to 13 primate species and a guided forest trek can be taken in search of one of the most popular primate species in the world – the chimpanzee. There are 9 diurnal primates, these include, vervet, red‐tailed, L’Hoest’s, blue monkeys, grey‐cheeked manabey, red colobus, black and white colobus, olive baboon and the most famous of all, the chimpanzee. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the odds are good with the chance of encountering them standing at higher then 90%. This morning you will go on a forest walk in search of primates. Whilst trekking in the depths of the lush green forest, you will be surrounded by bird song and can expect to see at least 5 or 6 other types of primate, most probably the grey‐cheeked managebey and the red‐tailed monkey and of course the chimpanzee. The walking is fairly easy due to the well‐maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain. This afternoon we head back into the forest to see the Chimpanzees prepare for a time to nest for the night.

4. Drive to Bwindi Forest 258kms Drive to Bwindi Forest

Drive to Bwindi via Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive passes through Fort Portal and then south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains {Mountains of the Moon} with the hope of seeing the glaciated peaks. The drive is a full day gently descending into The Great African Rift Valley to Queen Elizabeth National Park and continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, passing through Ishasha and on wards to Bwindi.

5. Gorilla Tracking Day Gorilla tracking in Bwindi forest Uganda

Gorilla tracking day.
After breakfast take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. We then hike into the forest where the gorillas were seen the night before and track from that point. The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes notice; hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film. N.B. We cannot guarantee seeing Gorillas.

6. Another day Gorilla tracking Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla tracking day two.
After breakfast take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. We then hike into the forest where the gorillas were seen the night before and track from that point. The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes notice; hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film. N.B. We cannot guarantee seeing Gorillas.

7. Drive to Lake Mburo 271kms Lake Mburo safari

Drive to Mbarara passing through the Switzerland of East Africa area and eventually into Ankole Cattle country around Mbarara. These cattle are incredible with horns larger than one can imagine. Continue to Lake Mburo National Park, game drive. The drive today is 6 to 7 hours. Lake Mburo National Park is a small park, excellent for birding, antelope and other grazers, one of the only places to easily see Impala and zebra in Uganda. Game drives offer particularly picturesque game viewing with the Parkʹs mixture of savannah, acacia woodlands, grassy valleys, rocky outcrops, swamps, lakes and rolling hills. Herds of impala (found nowhere else in Uganda), buffalo and zebra, plus waterbuck and eland are amongst the variety of wildlife to be seen. Birders will enjoy the Parkʹs 310 recorded water and dry land species. In this valley we can operate night drives and walks. This is the only park where we will see Impala and Burchellʹs Zebra. It is an excellent place for walking and exploring a nearby Khopji to perhaps see Klipspringer. Game drive to the lodge.

8. Drive Back to Entebbe 229kms Safari in Uganda

This morning we drive back to Entebbe, this takes approximately 5 hours – road and weather dependent. If time permits it is possible to stop in Kampala for shopping and lunch and a visit to the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers. You are then transferred to Entebbe International airport to connect with your departure flight. Please note the departure flight must be in the late afternoon or evening, alternatively we can arrange another overnight in Entebbe.
(BL)

Not included in the price for this trip
* Drinks
* Tips
* Porters
* Laundry services
* Visa (Uganda/Rwanda)
* Any other personal interests

Notes
Travellers are supposed to reach Entebbe on the tour starting day before 8 am and leaving from the same airport at the end of the tour after 8 pm. If these times can't be respected then 1 or 2 days should be calculated for the overnight in Kampala.
Children under 12 years of age are not allowed to see chimpanzees. Kibale NP offers small walks of 1 or 2 hours followed by creative activities.
Gorilla trekking is not allowed to anyone under 15 years of age.
Prices for private safari. No extra passengers added.
All prices are VAT included.
Prices are in United States dollars (USD).
Gorilla permits are available booking at least 6 months before the departure date.

Booking Terms
Bookings: At the moment of booking a deposit of the 40% of the total amount is due.

Bookings must be made at least 60 days before the date of departure.

Steady Safaris Ltd reserves the right to don't accept bookings made less than 60 days prior the date of departure.

Full payment has to be made not less than 30 days before the departing date of the tour.

If the full amount is not paid in due time, Steady Safaris Ltd reserves the right to treat the booking as cancelled.

Cancellations: 60 days prior to departure date of the tour, full refund of deposit; between 60 and 30 days, refund of 50% of deposit; less than 30 days, no refund.

Uganda gorilla tracking is far better than the gorilla tracking else where on the contient of Africa. Uganda has more gorilla families compared to the other countries that offer gorilla tours in Africa. For various reasons, Uganda tends to receive the least gorilla trackers all year round. Very many opt to track in Rwanda despite the fact that Rwanda is a more of an expensive destination for gorilla tracking compared to Uganda. If you are thinking or planning for a trip in Africa specifically for gorilla safari, then please do consider Uganda as the best option available for gorilla tracking tours.